Caught on CCTV: Moment mother gave birth in street outside shopping centre helped by security guardsKim Leighton gave birth on the pavement outside the Eden shopping centreShe was hurrying to hospital after her waters brokeThe mother was helped by security staff who had spotted her on CCTVGives her baby daughter the middle name 'Eden' in honour of her birth place

By
Anna Edwards

PUBLISHED:

12:19 GMT, 12 February 2013

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UPDATED:

12:32 GMT, 12 February 2013

It's a moment when most expectant mothers want comfort and – most of all – privacy.

But there was no chance of that for Kim Leighton who not only gave birth on a road outside a shopping centre – but she was caught on CCTV for the entire experience.

The 25-year-old went into labour in the Eden shopping centre in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire and gave birth to baby Leanne on the pavement at 2am.

Baby on the way! Kim Leighton, in pink, can be seen outside the Eden shopping centre in High Wycombe as she tries to make her way to hospital

Kim can be seen sitting on the floor as her mother Sue, her mother's partner Paul, and security guards try to help

Push! Paramedics arrive to help the mother and new baby, after the speedy delivery happened in the street at 2am

Baby on board! Kim cradles Leanne as she is taken to hospital. The mother says that she will show the footage to her daughter when she is older

She was helped by her mother Sue, 54, and security guards from the shopping complex who had raced to the scene with blankets after spotting the emergency delivery on their CCTV cameras.

Sue's partner Paul and Miss Leighton's four-year-old son Lewis were also standing by to welcome the new baby into the world.

The mother says she plans to show the video footage to her daughter, whose middle name is Eden in honour of her birth place.

Kim gave Leanne the middle name in honour of the shopping centre where she was born

Miss Leighton lives in a flat near the centre and was rushing to get to the local maternity hospital after her waters broke.

She had phoned Wycombe Hospital at 11.15pm said she felt she needed to come in, but they advised her that she still had plenty of time and to have a bath.

She phoned again at 12.45am to report her contractions were quickening, but it was only at 1.45am did they advise her coming to hospital.

While her mother helped her down the stairs Miss Leighton could feel that baby Leanne was well on her way.

Miss Leighton said: 'My mum said “No, she's not” but I could feel it so I took my trousers off in the street, I pushed and the baby was in my mum's arms.

'The security guards saw what was happening on CCTV and rushed round with blankets and kept me calm until the ambulance arrived.

'The neighbours certainly know about it – I made enough noise!

'At the moment her place of birth is down as “Other” so I will have to explain to her and show her the footage. It's amazing how clear it is on the video.

'My friends and family wouldn't believe me when I told them the story.

'My son Lewis is over the moon.

'He's so proud and keeps showing her off to everyone and tells them he was there when it happened.

'I'll never be able to lie to them where babies come from… they'll only need to look at the film!'

Over the moon: Lewis watched as his mother gave birth in the street to his new sister Leanne

Eden security guards Iain and Saquib said they thought at first that Kim was drunk and staggering about in the street on October 9 last year.

But as soon as they realised what was happening they ran to help.

Iain said 'Nothing surprises me in this job but I'm pleased we could help out and the lady dropped in a bottle of wine to say thank you, which was nice.'

The mother said her daughter is extra special because she had been diagnosed with polycystic ovaries and doctors told her she was unlikely to fall pregnant after giving birth to her son.

Leanne weighed 6lb 4ozs but because she had been born outside she had a low temperature.

After five hours doctors allowed her to go home.

Sue said: 'It was certainly the most natural birth and a really novel way to meet my new granddaughter.'